RE. cost of private one-stop breast clinic appointment?

[Rosesandstars]

Hi All,

Just wondered whether anyone has self-paid for a private one stop breast clinic appointment and whether any of the major hospital chains offer a fixed price for this? I contacted a local Spire hospital but the total for a mammogram, ultrasound and punch biopsy might exceed £1500 and ideally I need to pay less!

I know that I can ask for a NHS referral and I probably will go down this route but I have some health conditions that make attending a normal outpatient clinic really challenging.

Sounds about average price wise. Depends if you are in London in which case it's quite reasonable. My health authority are up to date on routine mammograms so.no knock on issue in Worcestershire.

That price is about average. Try Bupa.

Thanks!

Sounds about average. But if you are concerned about cancer why can’t you go down the NHS 2 week wait (although wait might be longer at the moment) route? Could you speak to the access team/PALs about your conditions that make attending clinic difficult and see how they can support you to enable you to be seen and treated?

Poorer standard of care with private healthcare. Nhs every time

I paid £150 for a consultation at Spire and the surgeon strongly advised that I just wait for the nhs mammogram 2 weeks later as things seemed okay on examination. He said himself that he thought Spire prices for mammograms were really expensive!

I paid to have a private mammogram at a Nuffield hospital when I found a lump - turned out to be a cyst. My insurance excess (£100) was the same as the cost of the appointment so I just paid on my card. I was referred by my GP and the NHS hospital appointment would have been only 3 days later under the 2 week wait, but I was going out of my mind with worry and wanted to be seen as soon as possible. I’ve since been to the NHS hospital for 3 mammograms as the cysts are reoccurring and they have to check them each time. On each occasion I’ve been seen very quickly with just short waits, the staff have all been fantastic and the diagnostic equipment top-notch. What the NHS hospital is able to offer is frankly incredible given the underfunding and overstretched staff. So I’d recommend going NHS as the first option… unless you can get a private appointment sooner (for peace of mind) and just having the mammogram privately - then any follow up on the NHS if needed.

My last NHS appointment was at 0930 and I arrived early at 0900 as set off v early to avoid traffic. They saw me straight away anyway and I had an examination with a nurse, a mammogram, ultrasound and a follow up chat with the consultant - and was out the door again before 0930!

I should add that my nhs appt was great too.
The only reason I paid for a private consult was because I had a holiday coming up and I could get seen beforehand. I knew if I had to wait for the nhs appt (which was after I got back) I would ruin my holiday worrying.

Another vote for excellent NHS one stop service, waited 3 days from GP telephone consultation to appt for examination, mammogram, ultrasound guided cyst drainage and saw consultant again, all less than an hour.... In covid lock down too!

I’ve been referred to the breast clinic twice in the last few years. Both times I’ve been seen quickly and the care has been great.

Honestly , save your money, this is one aspect of nhs care that can be very good ,I’ve been twice now, think how many women they see every day , sometimes experience at this volume is good!

I saw my gp on Monday for a tiny lump in my breast. My appointment was at 2.40pm, my 2WW appointment was texted to me at 3.46. It's for next Monday. Not sure it's possible to beat that anywhere.

My consultation was £290 and was I told diagnostic testing would probably be around £2k. The consultant told me to wait for NHS as he didn’t think it was a ‘concern’. My NHS appointment came through 10 days after GP referral.

I wish there was more of a ‘one stop shop’ for routine mammograms, where the pictures are examined while you wait rather than waiting for the results letter to drop on your doormat, I find that torturous.

Well in general I disagree with this but I would suggest OP try the NHS first and request some reasonable adjustments to attend.

I had a private mammogram at a BMI hospital, waited 2 days for an appointment.I can’t remember exact price but around £200 or £250 and got the verbal all clear immediately and the written report later by email.
I have also had good experiences of breast care with the NHS but so much of the rest is just crumbling down.

In any case hope you get seen promptly and get reassuring results.